Cosmic conversation: the possibilities of Quality Coaching

2nd April 2025
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Callum Akehurst-Ryan's profile
Callum Akehurst-Ryan

Staff Quality Engineer

Kat Obring's profile
Kat Obring

Founder, Director

Cosmic conversation: the possibilities of Quality Coaching image
Talk Description

In this insightful discussion on quality coaching, Kat and Callum explore the challenges and best practices for fostering a culture of continuous improvement in teams. 

They highlight common pitfalls such as ineffective retrospectives, striving for perfection at the cost of progress, and the misconception that testers are merely problem reporters rather than active contributors to solutions. They emphasise the importance of pragmatic decision-making, iterative improvements, and the power of asking the right questions to guide teams toward better outcomes. 

By encouraging teams to take small, meaningful steps rather than waiting for perfect conditions, they advocate for a more adaptable and growth-oriented approach to quality.

The conversation also explored coaching techniques, with a focus on creating a "pull" for learning rather than pushing quality practices onto teams. 

Kat and Callum discuss the value of using metrics as a learning tool rather than a judgmental measure, ensuring that teams make informed, intentional decisions about their processes. 

They also highlight the importance of hands-on workshops, fostering curiosity, and enabling teams to discover solutions that fit their unique contexts. Ultimately, they reinforce the idea that quality is about making things "good enough for now" while continuously evolving rather than chasing an unattainable perfection.

By the end of this session, you'll be able to:

  • Learn what possibilities open up when teams embrace quality coaching
  • Understand if the possibilities of quality coaching change in different teams and contexts
  • Learn the common traps teams fall into when implementing quality coaching
  • Explore what quality coaching approaches are proving most effective today
Staff Quality Engineer
Hi I'm Callum, a software tester and quality coach in London. I talk about exploratory testing, test strategy, diversity & inclusion and building testing in agile teams / startups.
Kat Obring
she/her
Founder, Director
Former chef turned software testing expert Kat Obring brings 20 years of experience from Disney, Anaplan, and Accenture. She coaches testers and advises managers on testing strategy.
Staff Quality Engineer
Hi I'm Callum, a software tester and quality coach in London. I talk about exploratory testing, test strategy, diversity & inclusion and building testing in agile teams / startups.
Kat Obring
she/her
Founder, Director
Former chef turned software testing expert Kat Obring brings 20 years of experience from Disney, Anaplan, and Accenture. She coaches testers and advises managers on testing strategy.
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